Advocacy is a priority function of Habitat for Humanity's mission to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness around the world.  If you are interested in becoming an Advocacy Ambassador, please contact Veronica Garcia at vgarcia@habitatla.org or (310) 323-4663 ext. 109.

A Hand Up....Not a Hand Out

ake action!  The City of L.A. ’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund needs permanent sources of revenue

 A lack of affordable housing is a problem in our region, especially for families and individuals earning less than median income.  Given how chronic and widespread these issues have become, conditions are unlikely to improve without a dramatic increase in involvement by local government leaders.  

In the City of Los Angeles , the Affordable Housing Trust Fund was created to help address this issue.  The objective was to dedicate $100 million annually to help spur the development of more housing options.  The Trust Fund’s purpose was to create a permanent source of funding to be used solely for housing and to protect these housing funds from being diverted should budgetary shortfalls occur.  

As you may recall, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles supported a City of Los Angeles measure--Prop H--this past fall.  Had it passed, Prop H could have provided $100 million annually, or more, over the next ten years for the City’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund.   

The Affordable Housing Trust Fund remains as a viable solution and a permanent source of funding is a priority.  A new idea to address this issue has been proposed. For more info rmation about this proposal, click here or please visit www.homesforlafamilies.org and click on funding for home development.

The proposal recommends that the City dedicate a portion of the growth in property tax revenue and business tax revenue (that is not obligated for current business tax reforms) to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

Why do we need a permanent source?

• Home Ownership: Current funding does not allow the city to provide home ownership assistance to families earning between $55,000 and $84,000.

• Homelessness: Would enable the city to provide rental subsidies and services to formerly homeless residents of affordable housing.

• Without permanent streams of funding from the city, we are not able to fully leverage our fair share of our state tax dollars.  This would make the full funding of the Housing Trust Fund more predictable and less dependent on politics.

We urge you to take action.  If you are a resident of the City of Los Angeles , you can email or write to your representative to urge them to establish dedicated, permanent revenue sources for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund through this new proposal.   

Send email and mail to:
200 N. Spring Street, Rm #
Los Angeles , CA 90012  

Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa
Rm # 303
Email John.Brady@lacity.org

City Council President Eric Garcetti 
Rm # 470
Email Shane.Goldsmith@lacity.org  

City Council Member Herb Wesson
Rm # 430
Email Andrew.Westall@lacity.org

City Council Budget and Finance Committee members:

Councilmember Bernard Parks
Rm # 460
Email Steve.Ongele@lacity.org 

Councilmember Wendy Greuel
Rm # 475
Email Jennifer.Cohen@lacity.org  

Councilmember Jose Huizar
Rm # 465
Email Amy.Cooper@lacity.org  

Councilmember Greig Smith
Rm # 405
Email Doug.Tripp@lacity.org

Councilmember Bill Rosendahl
Rm # 415
Email Mike.Bonin@lacity.org